Newcastle 4 Girona 0: Gordon back and firing and ‘Oldcastle’ show their quality

In Newcastle United's second-to-last summer exhibition game, they dominated Girona 4-0. Girona is a team that will compete in the Champions League this season.

An onslaught of goals in the first half by Sean Longstaff, Jacob Murphy, and Anthony Gordon gave Eddie Howe's team a 3-0 advantage in just 16 minutes. Longstaff scored another goal shortly before the half-time whistle.

Newcastle had a great game, despite Alexander Isak also missing a penalty. The team looked very strong and it seems like their trip to Japan really helped them improve their performance.

George Caulkin examines several significant topics following Newcastle's win...

Quality Reminder From This Squad

Just like Oldcastle United, right? St James' has welcomed four new players this summer (technically five if we include Lewis Hall, but since he was on loan from Chelsea last season, we won't count him for this discussion). However, none of these newcomers were in the starting lineup against Girona.

Furthermore, when Southampton visits Newcastle next weekend, it is unlikely that players such as John Ruddy, Odysseas Vlachodimos, Lloyd Kelly, and William Osula will be in the starting lineup. This is not a surprise, as it is clear that the team still needs to make some signings. Following the recent victory, Howe mentioned that he is looking to bring in one more player to strengthen the squad.

There isn't really anything bad to say about Oldcastle, who were leading 3-0 against Spain's third-ranked team last season within the first 15 minutes of the game. Eddie Howe had divided the team for a two-game weekend, also playing against Brest on Saturday afternoon. The starting lineup included Alexander Isak, Joelinton, Anthony Gordon, Nick Pope, and many other key players from the team.

Following the draining humidity in Japan, the familiar Howe team showed up in top form, playing aggressively and pressing high. Girona was completely overwhelmed. Murphy continued his impressive performance in pre-season, Isak assisted a goal before missing a penalty he had earned with his clever play, and Longstaff is once again finding the back of the net.

Murphy secures Newcastle's second goal in the match.

These athletes are not failures. They are actually quite exceptional, and this served as a pleasant reminder of that fact. Nevertheless, they could use some assistance.

Gordon Returns In Black And White, Firing

The fans in the Gallowgate section sang out of tune. They chanted "Oooooh, Anthony Gordon" again. It was only sixteen minutes into the game, and Newcastle was winning by three goals. Gordon had just scored easily after Joelinton and Isak set him up, and he was casually making his way towards the Strawberry Corner.

Gordon returned after an eventful summer where he achieved milestones such as becoming a senior England player and participating in the European Championship till the end. This led to attention from Liverpool, the team he had always supported. It was refreshing to see him back playing for his team in their signature black-and-white kit. In the previous season, the 23-year-old was a key player for Howe, setting the pace with his energy and scoring goals consistently. Additionally, he was reliable and rarely missed a match on weekends.

In June, Newcastle was trying very hard to make sure they followed the Premier League's financial rules. They had discussions with Liverpool about Gordon, but they didn't really want to sell him unless it was absolutely necessary. There were concerns within the club that he might be thinking about leaving. According to The Athletic, they are now considering offering him a new contract.

Liverpool has not lost interest and continues to pursue potential moves. There is a possibility that Newcastle could face difficulties before the transfer window closes. Gordon's attitude has always been a determining factor, which remained positive, aggressive, and committed in this situation. He played for 45 minutes, following Howe's standard practice for players in their first game back.

Following the match, Howe commented: "Our original intention was for him to play just 45 minutes. He performed admirably today. Due to his late start in training compared to the rest of the team, as well as needing a mental rest after the Euros and a strenuous season, we wanted to gradually increase his training intensity. He showcased a strong performance and we plan to gradually increase his workload in the upcoming week."

Certainly, he is in high spirits. He desired to extend his playtime this evening. Being a seasoned professional, he prioritizes his health and fitness. I am certain he will be prepared for the upcoming week.

I expected him to return in good shape. He's still young, so it should be easier for him. We'll have to see how he performs in training this week before making a decision.

Newcastle Nailed Pre-season Balance

Why do teams have pre-season? Pre-season is a time to improve fitness, practice strategy and team unity, integrate new players, and try to generate revenue and increase visibility for the club.

A year ago, Howe thought that Newcastle made a mistake in their scheduling. Going to the USA for the Premier League Summer Series meant playing tough games against Brighton, Aston Villa, and Chelsea, but there was too much traveling between their training base in Atlanta and games in Philadelphia and New Jersey, as well as too many corporate events.

Newcastle returned home with a narrow victory, although it may not have been evident when they dominated Aston Villa 5-1 in the first game of the season. However, some staff members believe this win marked the beginning of a season plagued by injuries.

This time, the equilibrium seems more satisfactory. Howe had a calm and focused week with his team at the Adidas headquarters in Germany, now that they are their new kit providers. Meanwhile, Newcastle had two matches in Japan and had to travel from their headquarters in Tokyo. The facilities were excellent and although the weather was harsh, it served its purpose. It appears to have had a positive impact on them.

Understanding the optimal time to perform at your best during a long 10-month season can be challenging. Athletes have limited chances to take breaks, especially during years with multiple tournaments, so preventing exhaustion is crucial. The signs are positive. It's important to avoid burning out early on, as it benefits no one.

What Comes Next For Newcastle?

The blog post featuring an image of Serena Taylor from Newcastle United is now available for viewing.

George Caulkin has been covering football in the North East of England since 1994, with 21 years of that spent at The Times. He has experienced some highs, a lot of lows, and only won one significant trophy. You can keep up with George on Twitter by following @GeorgeCaulkin.